Machine for making paper-board.



E. 0. BABCOCK.. MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER BOARD.

AIfPLlcATloN FILED APR. 2, 19|3.

Patented June 22, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

| l I l l I J l I l l l 1| E. 0. BABCOCK.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER BOARD.

APPLICATION FILED APRIZ, 1913.

l I, Patented June 22, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. O. BABCOCK.

MACHINE FOR MAKING PAPER BOARD.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2. 1913.

Patented June 22, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

EnwA o. BAncocn, on NIAeAnA FALLA, am non.

MACHINE FOB MAGI- amasar.

pecication of Lettera Patent.

Patented ll une 22, full.

Application lod April 1913. rial No. 'Z

To all whom 'it may concern.'

Be it known that I, EDWARD O. Baisooon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Niagara Falls, in the county of Niagara and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Machines for Making Paper-Board, of which the following -is a s eciication.

his invention relates to machines for making paper or pulp board or the like from pulp in a liquid or plastic lstate or other similar material. In machines of this character the pulp is usually formed into a web which is compressed to squeeze themoisture out of it and form a compact sheet .or board of the desired thickness. The pulp may be formed into a single web or into a plurality of webs which may be brought together and united into a single sheet by the compressing devices.

In paper board machines as heretofore constructed, it has been customary to compress the soft pulp web by means of successive pairs of squeezin rolls until the web has been reduced to t e desired thickness. The usual rolls for this purpose have been open to certain objections, however, particularly in the making of thick board. The ac-` tion of the squeezing rolls is necessarily to produce a comparatively abrupt reduction in thickness of the web, the sharp deflection in the surface of the webs-caused by the rolls resulting in a tearing apart of the fibers and a breaking of the continuity of the web surface. rfhis greatly weakens the board and is particularly objectionable when a heavy board having a low grade filling material is being manufactured, as in such a board the strength is mainly in' the outer layers which are most injured by the action of the rolls.

The present invention provides an improved means for squeezing or compressing the pulp4 web which consists in the use of 4converging surfacesbetween which the pulp web is passed. These surfaces may be either stationary or movable (as by being formed upon endless traveling belts) and are preferably of such extent and inclination as to gradually and evenly compress the pulp web from its initial thickness to the ultimate thickness desired for the board. By this arrangement the difficulties incident to the use of squeezing rolls are entirely eliminated.

The present invention also comprises improvements 'in the means for flowing the pulp upon the traveling aprons of the machine, and in the arrangement of the aprons for forming a multi le ply board. It also comprises certain ot er improvements, the nature of which will appear from the followlng detailed description.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 1s a slde elevation of a machine embodying a preferred form of the invention. Fi 2 is a central sectional elevation thereof. Fi 3 1s a plan view thereof, the How boxes belng omitted. Fig. 4 is a detached vertical sect1on partlyr in elevation, of the compressing devlce. Fig. 5 is a fra entary plan view of the compressing device on a still larger scale. Fig. 6 is a sectional elevation thereof on line 6 6, Fig. 5. Fie'. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view o one of the flow boxes. Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional elevation on line 8 8, Fig. l.

A'represents the frame ofthe machine upon which the various parts of the apparatus are mounted and which comprises two uprlght side portions a a. This frame may pe of any other suitable or desired construclon.

endless a rens or screens B. B', which `pass over drivin rolls or cylinders b t and idler rolls or cyhnders b Z which are suitably journaled in the frame of the machine and which convey the pulp to the compression devices. These aprons, as shown in the drawings, are made of thin sheet metal and are perforated so as to allow the excess moisture in the pulp to drain ofi' through the perforations. Aprons of other material, such as wire or textile fabric, may be employed, if desired, andother suitable means may be provided for actuating the aprons. A layer of pulp is deposited upon each of the aprons, the layer deposited on the upper apron being carried over the ,drum t and brought into The liquid or plastic pulp is deposited on l rtV contact with the layer upon the lower apron l boxes are secured to the lower extremities ofA feed chutes or conveyers C', for example by means of bolts o', as shown in Fig. 7. rlhe lower ends of the feed chutes are enlarged and enter into the low boxes adjacent to the walls thereof. The material flows from the chutes into the flow boxes and then upwardly in the space between the enlarged ends c ofthe chutes and the outer walls of the flow boxes, and then down the walls of the boxes to the a ron. By thus causing the material 'to lover ow both sides of the flow boxes, two layers or plies of pulp are formed by each boxfand each box erforms the function of two pill feedin evices of the kind heretofore use The ow of the pulp to the apron can be regulated by means of plates c which are arranged within the chutes C and adjustable vertically toward and from stationary plates c", secured to the bottoms ofthe flow boxes, to control the fiow of pulp to the outer walls of the ow boxes. Any suitable means may be employed for adjustably securing the plates c2 to the chutes, for example, bolts c4, engaging with the plates e2 and passing through slots o5 in the side walls of the chutes.

Any number of iow boxes and feed chutes may be employed, three being shown in the drawings for each apron. By means of this arrangement of the feed chutes, di'erent grades of pulp can be used in making 'the board, for example, the boxes which form the outer layers or plies of the board can be supplied with a long iibered ulp which will produce a tough surface, w ile an inferior grade of pulp may be used in the other boxes for the inner layers of the board. Ifit is desired to make a thick board, .a hopper D can also be provided which is adapted tov supply to the machine a cheaper grade of pulp which forms the filler or inner ply of the board. Since this filling material is usually not suiciently liquid to flow evenly over the surface of the apron, a spreading roller (Z is preferably used, which spreads the material discharged from the hopper D evenly over the surface of the better grade material deposited on the apron. This roller is adjustable toward and from the apron B by means of adjusting screws d', engaging in threaded, holes in the frame of the machine and engaging bearing blocks Z2 slidably mounted in slots or guide openings d in the frame of the machine.

E represents suitable deckle straps or belts which are located at the edges of the aprons and which move with the aprons and pass over suitable pulleys e which are suitably journaled in the frame of the machine. Movement is imparted to the deckle straps by the aprons with which they are pressed into frictional engagement.

Means are preferably provided for removing,7 a portion of the moisture from the pulp be ore thesame reaches the compressing device. For this fpur ose suction or exhaust boxes F are pre era ly employed, which are located on the under side of the apron and withdraw moisture from the pul through the perforations in the apron. T e suction boxes are arranged between the flow boxes, so that a considerable portion of the m'oisture is withdrawn from the pulp deposited by one iow box before the pulp on the apron reaches the next flow box. By this arrangement a thicker board can be made and suiicient moisture is removed from the pulp to cause the same to adhere to the lower run of the upper belt. These boxes, as shown, are all connected with iipes f from which air and moisture are ex austed by any suitable means, (not shown). The means for coinpressing the ulp web formed by the united layers of pup deposited on the aprons B and B so as to thoroughly consolidate the layers, squeeze the water out of the pul and form a compact and solid paper boar are preferably constructed as follows:

Two plates G- are secured to the frame of the machine, one above the other between which the a rens B B pass. The opposing faces g g o these plates converge in such a manner that the web of pulp, on being drawn between the )lates by the aprons, is gradually reduced in thickness and compressed until the desired degree of compactness is attained. Any suitable means may be employed for facilitating the movement 0I" the pulp web and the aprons through the compression device, as for example, the construction illustrated in which the plates G G are surrounded by traveling belts H H. Each of these belts comprises a hirality of flat plates or boards z, exten ing transversely of the machine and secured at their opposite ends to links 71, 71.. These links are connected to form chains at opposite sides of the belt which are adapted to pass over sprocket or notched wheels it 71,2 secured' to shafts ha h which pass through the opposite ends of the upper plate G and to the shafts la. and la," which pass through the lower plate G. The belts pass around the plates in opposite directions and enter the space between the plates at the widest part thereof. ln order to permit the moisture to drain from the pulp while the same is compressed between the plates G G, the boards are provided with grooves er recesses it? extending lengthwise of the machine, in which the moisture can collect on being expressed froin the pulp[ through the perforations in the aprons. f desired anti-friction devices may be introduced between the plates G G and the belts H I-I. As shown a series of rollers I is provided which are connected by links t to form chains or belts which pass around the plates G G underneath the belts H H. Any other suitable means may be employed for reducing the friction between the belts and the plates.

The lower plate G', in the construction shown, is rigidly secured to the frame of 'lin order to y'plate maybe provided at its rear end with a shaft K extending through the plate transversely .of the machine and^having its ends journaled in blocks lc which are slidably mounted in vertical slots or openings it in the sides of the trame. The blocks vcan be moved downwardly in the slots by means of ad'usting .screws 7c, passin through threa ed holes in the frame an bearing on the upper faces of the blocks. ermit the adjustment of the plate relative y to the shaft it a slot c'a is formed in the plate throlu h which Ethe shaft ha isadapted to pass. he front end of the plate is ada ted to be adjusted by means of screws yengaging in lugs Z termed on the frame of the machine. The lower ends of the screws are rotatably secured in sleeves Z which support the ends of the shaft 71,4.. By the construction just described it will be seen that the relative inclination of the ,plat/es, as well as the distance between them, can be adjusted so that the extent of compression and the ultimate thickness of the board can be regulated as desired.

Any suitable means may be utilized to drive the various parts of the machine which require to be actuated. As shown, power is transmitted in any suitable manner to a pulley M which is mounted on a shaft m journa'lcd in the frame of the machine. A pinion m mounted on the shaft m' drives a gear fm2 secured on a shaft ma, and a pinion m4 on this shaft drives a gear m5 mounted on the shaft h5. The gear m meshes with a similar gear m mounted on the shaft its, so that these two shafts are driven in opposite directions to drive the belts H H by means of the sprocket wheels h2 asheretofore described. rlhe opposite ends of these shafts are provided with sprocket wheels m7 m7, which are connected by chains me m8 to sprocket wheels m m9 for turning the driving rolls b t, over which the aprons B B pass. lt will be understood 'that the aprons BB and the belts H H need not all be positively driven #from the source of power as the frictional engagement of these members may in some cases be relied upon to actuate some of the members from the others which are positively driven. For example, the aprons B B only maybe driven, their lengagement with'the belts H H serving to actuat/e the latter, or the belts only may be driven and their engagement with the aprons utilized to cause the necessary movement thereof. Moreover, it will be understood that belts or movable surfaces for either or both ofthe plates G G are not essential, but that the aprons B B may be caused to slide directly over the converging surfaces of the plates. On the other hand the plate as such may be dispensed with if the belts H H" are made of. such construction that they cannot bend or sa between their supporting pulleys and i they are of sufiicient strength and rigidity to withstand the pressure necessary to properly compress the pulp web.

The operation of the machine is as follows z-The pulp is fed to the aprons B B described, to control the amount of pulp discharged and the thickness of the pulp web. A considerable part of the moisture is removed from the pulp by the suction boxes, so that when the upper apron B passes around the roll b, the pulp will adhere to the apron and form the upper por tion of the paper board. As the aprons carrying the pulp pass between the plates (if G', the two lms or coats of pulp on the aprons are pressed together, the filler discharged rom the hopper D, if used, being incorporated between them. The plates it ot the belts form substantially unbroken flat surfaces which converge as the belts pass between the plates, so that the pulp in passing between the belt is gradually and uniformly compressed. Abrupt changes in the thickness of the web are thus avoided and injury to the surface fibers of the web is prevented. By adjusting the upper plate (if toward or from the lower plate and by regulating the discharge of pulp from ,the Howfboxes, any desired thickness of board or paper may be produced. A dense or solid board may be formed' by bringing the ends of the plates together at the point oit outlet and. increasing the inclination of the plates, thereby making it possible to compress a comparativelyfthick web of pulp into a much thinner sheet. By adjusting the plates to a more nearly parallel relation, a softer and more porous board is produced. rlhe plates and the belts running over them may be of any desired length so as to produce as great a degree oi' compression and to make such compression as gradual as may be deemed advisable. rlhe compression surfaces are preferably substantially plane, though they may in some cases have a slight curvature. As will be understood, a plurality of the compression devices may be used in series if desired, or the improved compres sion device may be used in connection with squeezing rolls.

l claim as my invention:

1. In a compressing machine, the combiby the flow boxes, which can be adjusted, as

lao

` nation of a pairof stationary plates having tween said means for drivmg the belts and said rolls to cause said aprons to be positively driven at the same speed as said belts.

2. In a compressing machine, the comblnation of a pair of stationary plates having adjacent converging faces, a pair of aprons v arranged one above the other and adapted to `l`pass between the converging faces of sald plates, thelower run of the upper apron be- .ing supported adjacent to the u per run of the lower apron, means for rivin the aprons to cause said runs to travel 1n the same direction, means for depositing pulp on the upper run of each apron, and means for pressing the lower run of the upper apron and the upper run of the lowerapron toward each other to consolidate the layers of pulp on said aprons.

3L In a compressing machine, the comblnation of a pair of stationary plates having adjacent converging faces, a pair ofaprons arranged one above the other and adapted to pass between the converging faces of said plates, the lower run of the upper apron bemg supported adjacent to the upper run of the lower apron, means for driving the v aprons to cause said runs to travel inthe same directiomineans for depositing pulp on the upper run of each apron, means for pressing the lower run of the upper apron and the upper run of the lower la ron toward each other to consolidate the ayers of pulp on said aprons, and means for depositing a filler on the layer of the pulp on said lower apron but before the consolidation of said layers. i

4. In a compressing machine, thecombination of a Jair of plates having adjacent converging aces, means for adjusting saidv able independently of the shaft;

5'. InV a compressing machine, the combination of a pair of plates having adjacent converging faces, means for adjusting said plates relatively' to each other to vary the distance between said converging faces, end- `less belts surrounding said plates, shafts for driving ysaid belts, and means connecting1 xsaid shafts to cause the same to drive bot belts at the same s eed, said-shafts extending through said p ates, at least one of said 'plates having a slot through which the shaft extends to permit one plate to be adjusted relatively to the other plate without changymg the distance between said shafts.

6. In a compressing machine, the combii nation of a )air of plates having adjacent converging aces, means for adjusting said plates relatively to-each other to vary the distance between said converging faces, endless belts surrounding said plates, driving.

shafts extending through said plates at one end thereof and adapted to impart movement to said belts, means connecting said Vshafts to cause the same to drive both belts 'at the'same speed, driven shafts journaled .at the other ends of said platesgit least one of said plates having a s ot through which the shaft extends to permit one plate to be adjusted relatively to the other plate without changingv the distance between said shafts.

7. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a traveling apron, of a flow box extending transversely thereof for depositing pulp thereon, said flow box having an upright wall at each side thereof over which the pulp is adapted to flow onto theapron, whereby each flow box forms two plies, and means for supplying pulp to the interior of the flow box.

8. In a. machine of the character described, the combination with a traveling apron, of means for depositin lpulp thereon, comprising a chute, and a ow box attached to the end of the chute and extending transversely of the apron, said flow box having an upturned fiange at each side thereof over which the material is adapted to flow onto the apron, whereby each flow box forms two plies.

9. In a machine of the character described,

lthe combination-with a traveling apron, of

. charge from the latter.

Wltness my hand, this 25th day of March,

EDWARD O. BABCOCK.

Witnesses: y

ALBERT J. Gon'rz, E. E. MANsFIELn. 

